A weekly thread about the past
Today’s optional discussion topic: National myths. America’s 250th seems like a good time to kick around this subject. On July 2, 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, formalizing the United States’ breaking away from England. “[Independence Day] … Continue reading The Independent History Thread
This week’s topic: Historical topics that dumb people need to shut up about. Inspired by a mini-thread in the Politics Thread the other day, what are some historical topics that people apparently can’t talk about without seeming like morons? r/AskHistorians … Continue reading The History Thread Needs to Shut Up
This week’s History Thread’s optional discussion topic: LGBTQ history. Discuss noteworthy events and people in queer history, from early activists like the Mattachine Society (header) and Daughters of Bilitis to Harvey Milk and ACT UP, or even further back before … Continue reading The History Thread Celebrates Pride Month
Reading a bunch of books on Vietnam recently, and spending a lot of time around Robert McNamara, the Secretary of Defense whose ideas that he could logic America into winning an unwinnable war led to massive tragedy. For decades it’s … Continue reading The Best and the Brightest History Thread
Today’s optional topic: historical foods. There are a whole slew of websites, podcasts and YouTube channels devoted to recreating historical dishes, from pre-modern recipes to early versions of food you’d find today, and it’s always fun to ponder how the … Continue reading The History Thread Ruins the Digestive System
After last week’s much-needed vacation (including a successful expedition to the Antietam battlefield in Maryland), the History Thread returns. Open discussion this week, discuss what you will. Continue reading The Relaxed History Thread
On September 25, 1957, Karl Patterson Schmidt received a package from the Lincoln Park Zoo at his office in Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History. Schmidt was one of the world’s most renowned herpetologists, known for personally traveling to the … Continue reading History Thread: Please Don’t Squeeze the Boomslang!
On September 18, 1954 a pair of Australian skin divers emerged from the water off Port Darwin. Kirke Dyson-Holland, aged 21, was a native of Victoria who was on leave from the Australian Navy. A handsome blond man, known affectionate … Continue reading History Thread: Don’t Toss the Octopus!
April 23rd is World Book Day, so let’s celebrate by discussing what history books were most important to shaping you or your interests? Or documentaries, if you want. Continue reading The History Thread Celebrates World Book Day
Terrified of being buried alive? Fortunately, thanks to the 19th Century’s bizarre obsession with premature burial, you can purchase any number of patented safety coffins! You might try Christian Henry Eisenbrandt’s 1841 coffin, with a spring-loaded door that would instantly … Continue reading The History Thread Promises a Safe Burial!
2026 has given us many opportunities to ponder the downfall of empires. What causes a major state to collapse? Internal divisions, poor leadership, military or territorial overreach, economic stagnation, simple stupidity? Lots of case studies to consider here. I’d type … Continue reading Implied, History Thread, or Implode?
Reading Josh Ireland’s new book about the assassination of Leon Trotsky (depicted with documentary realism in this 1961 American propaganda comic) suggested this week’s discussion topic: Historic assassinations. Particularly considering ones that were particularly bizarre or impactful; it doesn’t get … Continue reading The Assassination of the History Thread
This week’s optional discussion topic: historical blunders. Can include military blunders, like the idiotic Gallipoli campaign depicted in the header image, or political, economic or even personal decisions that were disastrous. Not that we’re living through any such moments at … Continue reading Wonders, History Thread? Or Blunders?
Trigger warning for discussion of sexual assault. Yesterday, New York Times published a devastating expose of labor icon Cesar Chavez’s misdeeds, including sexual assault and inappropriate relations with minors. The backlash has already been swift and harsh, with states and … Continue reading The History Thread Reckons With Legacy
In 1856, the British Raj launched one of the Victorian era’s least-remembered conflicts. The Qajar Kingdom of Persia conquered the city of Herat, whose claims of independence had been backed by the British, who viewed it as a valuable ally … Continue reading The History Thread Blunders
This week’s optional discussion topic: Spies and undercover operatives. Inspired by this wonderful painting of Grace and Rachel Martin, two sisters-in-law who ran a small spy network in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War which assisted the Continental Army in … Continue reading The Undercover History Thread
Phyllis Wheatley was born in western Africa (probably Gambia) in 1753. As a young girl, she was kidnapped and sold into slavery, eventually becoming the property of Boston trader John Wheatley. At any early age, Phyllis showed signs of intellectual … Continue reading The Phyllis Wheatley History Thread
On this day in 1674, the Treaty of Westminster was signed, bringing an end to the Third Anglo-Dutch War. Despite the name, England was only a bit player in that conflict. Charles II had attacked the United Provinces because Louis … Continue reading The History Thread wakes up in a City That Never Sleeps…
Valentine’s Day is this weekend, so an obvious discussion topic comes to mind: Historical romances. Which historical relationships, romantic, sexual or otherwise do you find most interesting? It can be a great tale of timeless love, or a powerful couple … Continue reading The History Thread is Cold Around the Heart
Every once in a while, the History Thread invites you to ask for recommendations. And there’s usually some anime girl in the header. Any historical subjects that you want to learn more about? Use this thread to ask for recommendations … Continue reading The History Thread Recommends
This week’s weather put me in mind of the Year Without a Summer. In 1816, the entire world experienced a massive, year-long cold snap. Europe, the United States and much of Asia experienced year-long frosts, snowfalls and frigid weather, making … Continue reading The History Thread Without a Summer
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